Close named to chair local McCain campaign

By Nate Delesline III

Published: July 26, 2008

Culpeper County Commonwealth’s Attorney Gary Close will lead local efforts supporting Republican U.S. Senator John McCain’s presidential run.

According to a statement released Thursday from McCain’s state headquarters in Arlington, Close will join more than 130 other representatives statewide in organizing who have been selected to organize grassroots-level efforts for McCain.

Each of Virginia’s 95 counties and 39 cities will have a designated chairman at the local level to serve as the points of contact for local volunteers and supporters, the statement said.

Despite the temptation to label every presidential election as the most critical, Close said Friday that the 2008 election is probably one of the most important in recent history.

“I do think this is a critical election,” Close said. “We’re at way, we’re facing serious economic challenges, and there’s a stark difference in political ideology between McCain and Obama.”

In Virginia, recent polls indicate a near tie between McCain and Illinois Senator Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic party nominee for president.

“Clearly, Virginia’s in play,” Close said of the state’s role in the election. “I think that’s why the McCain campaign is focusing on Virginia. I think it shows how seriously McCain is taking Virginia as a place to win.”

Close acknowledged the unfavorable opinion many Americans have of President Bush, and by extension, the Republican party as a whole, but expressed confidence that McCain’s first-hand familiarity with military matters and foreign policy would keep regular Republican voters faithful and sway on-the-fence voters to the GOP side.

“Virginians are not huge party ideologues,” Close said. “Culpeper is a solid Republican-leaning county,” Close said. “I predict that McCain will do very well here.”

On military matters, “He’s actually been there,” Close said of McCain’s war experience. “It’s easy to be an armchair general. It’s harder when you actually know the impact,” of your decisions Close said.

Working against McCain said Close is his unfamiliarity with economic matters However, Close said McCain that could be overcome that weakness by appointing advisors with strong backgrounds in that area.

Nate Delesline III can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 110 or .